Device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle, particularly on a ceiling paneling of an airplane cabin, comprises a holding element ( 24; 24′; 24″ ) to be attached to the vehicle and having at least one recess ( 34; 34″ ), and a slider ( 36; 36″ ) arranged on the holding element ( 24; 24′; 24″ ) and formed with a receiving opening ( 38; 38″ ) for receiving an receivable element ( 26; 26 ″) of the partition wall ( 18; 18 ″). The slider ( 36; 36 ″) is supported on the holding element ( 24; 24′; 24″ ) for movement on a moving path between a cover position in which the slider ( 36; 36 ″) closes the recess ( 34; 34 ″) of the holding element ( 24; 24′; 24″ ), and an open position in which the receiving opening ( 38; 38 ″) is arranged within the recess ( 34; 34 ″) of the holding element ( 24; 24′; 24″ ).

The invention relates to a device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle and particularly for holding a partition wall on a ceiling paneling of an airplane cabin.

It is known that the rows of seats in the cabin of an airplane are subdivided corresponding to the booking classes. For this purpose, use is made of separating means in the form of partition walls which are fastened to the cabin floor and are held on the side or ceiling panelings, respectively. The partition walls are provided either as rigid plates or as curtains.

One demand posed to the holding attachment of such partition walls resides in that the partition walls be held to the wall of the airplane cabin with play. It is known, for instance, that the partition walls can be held to the ceiling paneling of the airplane cabin, i.e. above the passenger seats and thus below the baggage compartments. In this region, there is normally arranged the supply channel for the passenger cabin which, apart from electric lines for the seat illumination and for airline-staff call buttons, includes also the tubing for air supply. Further, the supply channel also comprises the oxygen mask units. Towards the cabin, the supply channel is covered by ceiling paneling. On those sites where partition walls can be arranged, the ceiling paneling comprises special ceiling paneling elements provided with recesses adapted to receive receivable elements (for instance, holding pins) of the partition walls. These openings are dimensioned larger than the cross section of the respective elements to be received, thus allowing for relative movement of the partition wall and the ceiling paneling as is the case, e.g. when the cabin is subjected to vibrations. When not used for holding a partition wall, the recesses are optically unappealing. It is known to provide sealing lips to close these recesses in the above described condition.

When the recesses in the ceiling paneling (holding element) do not receive an element (anchoring element), they are left freely exposed, causing a temptation to introduce foreign bodies into them, which may do damage to the supply lines arranged therebehind. However, also in the mounted condition of the partition wall, foreign bodies could be introduced into the recesses laterally of the holding pins.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle, particularly on a ceiling paneling of an airplane cabin, wherein the device comprises recesses secured against manipulation.

To achieve the above object, there is provided, according to the invention, a device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle, particularly on a ceiling paneling of an airplane cabin, which device comprises

a holding element to be attached to the vehicle and having at least one recess,

a slider arranged on the holding element and formed with a receiving opening for receiving a receivable element of the partition wall,

the slider being supported on the holding element for movement on a moving path between a cover position in which the slider closes the recess of the holding element, and an open position in which the receiving opening is arranged within the recess of the holding element.

According to the invention, it is provided that at least one recess of the holding element to be attached to the vehicle (e.g. side or ceiling paneling element) can be closed by a slider. The slider is attached for movement on the holding element, i.e. for linear or curved movement or pivoting, and comprises a receiving opening for receiving the receivable element (e.g. anchoring element) of the partition wall. This receiving opening is arranged within the recess of the holding element when the slider is in its open position. When the slider is arranged in its open or cover position, it closes the recess of the holding element. Thus, in other words, in the cover position of the slider, the receiving opening of the slider is located outside the recess of the holding element.

The receiving opening of the slider should be dimensioned such that the receivable anchoring element of the partition wall is received with only little play. The dimensioning of the recess of the holding element is suitably selected to the effect that, in the condition when the anchoring elements have been received by the receiving opening, movements of the anchoring elements within the recess are possible in the moving directions of the slider to the extent expected to occur with regard to the allowable relative movements of the partition wall and the holding element.

The at least one opening of the holding element is e.g. formed as a longitudinal hole while the receiving opening of the slider is formed as a round hole having a diameter smaller than or equal to the smaller diameter of the longitudinal hole. The longitudinal hole extends in the sliding direction and along the course of the moving path of the slider.

Because of the arrangement of the slider, the recess of the holding element can be closed when no partition wall is to be held. Preferably, the slider has the same color and, on its side facing towards the interior, the same surface structure as the holding element. Consequently, the recesses will be optically less perceivable in the closed condition. Besides, when the element of the partition wall has been received by the receiving opening of the slider, the recess is closed as well. Thus, manipulations on the recess are precluded both in case of a non-existing partition walls and in case of a mounted partition wall.

Apart from the above described holding element, the device according to the invention can additionally comprise a fixing element on which the anchoring element of the partition wall is also held. The fixing element, when viewed from the partition wall, is arranged behind the holding element and is connected to the anchoring element (e.g. by mutual insertion, sliding or the like). Such a “dual hold” is recommended particularly if the holding element is configured as a (ceiling) paneling element which is normally not stable enough to take up all forces acting on the partition wall. Basically, however, also such a condition could be envisaged but is not desirable because it would increase the manufacturing expenditure and also the weight of the holding element (paneling element).

If, as a holding element with slider, use is made e.g. of a ceiling paneling element for the supply channel of an airplane cabin, the fixing element is arranged within the supply channel and is fastened there e.g. on the underside of the baggage compartments. The anchoring element of the partition wall will then extend through the recess and the receiving opening of the holding element to the fixing element where it is supported.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the slider comprises an actuating element for movement from the cover position in the direction towards the open position. This actuating element is accessible from the (outer) side—facing towards the interior of the vehicle—of the holding element; notably, in the cover position of the slider, the actuating element is arranged within the recess of the holding element. The actuating element can be provided as a projection or deepened portion by which the slider can be gripped with the fingers or a tool in order to shift the slider. It is of advantage if the actuating element is a hole or a deepened portion into which a tipped object, e.g. a screwdriver, can be inserted.

Preferably, on the rear side of the holding element facing away from the interior of the vehicle, the slider is guided on the holding element for linear, arcuate or pivoting movement. If a wall paneling element is used as a holding element, it is suitable with regard to weight reduction that the thickness of the wall paneling element is relatively small. In such constructions, sufficient stability of shape of the paneling element is provided by stiffening ribs. These stiffening ribs are also arranged on the rear side of the paneling element, i.e. on that side which faces away from the interior when the paneling element has been attached to the vehicle. For the guidance of the slider on the holding element, it is advantageous if the slider is guided for movement on one or a plurality of—particularly parallel—stiffening ribs of the paneling element and holding element, respectively. Special guide profiles for the slider which would complicate the construction and thus the production of the holding element will thus not be required.

To preclude unintended movements of the slider caused by the vibrations to be expected during operation of the vehicle, the slider should be kept in abutment on the holding element e.g. by friction or also by locking. Suitably, in this regard, use can be made of an elastic press-on element arranged to press against the holding element and to cause the required clamping or friction effect. This press-on element can be fastened to one of the stiffening ribs, particularly by a clamp or the like. Suitably, the press-on element is provided as an elastic rod which, on both of its ends or at least on one of its ends, is formed with an at least one-sided widened portion. Alternatively, an arcuate configuration of the elastic rod is possible. In the condition of being pressed against the slider, the elastic rod is deformed so that, via its ends, the required clamping force is exerted on the slider. In the cover position of the slider, the slider can be arranged outside at least one of the end-side widened portions of the elastic rod so that the respective end-side widened portion is in abutment on the end side of the slider and will thus effect a resistance to movement of the slider into the open position.

As already detailed above, the holding element can comprise stiffening ribs on its rear side. For reasons of stability, such stiffening ribs can also extend transversely to the moving path of the slider. Thus, in this case, a projection extending into the moving path of the slider is arranged on the holding element. Thereby, the extent of the movement of the slider is impaired. In this regard, it is of advantage if a guide face for guiding the slider over the projection is formed near the projection. This “ramp” provides for a deformation of the slider in that part of the latter which moves over the guide face, so that an additional holding force is obtained in the cover position of the slider.

The invention has been described above with reference to the case that the holding element is formed with merely one recess adapted to have an anchoring element of the partition wall extending therethrough when the slider is arranged in its open position. Normally, the partition walls comprise a plurality, i.e. at least two (anchoring) elements to be received by the holding element. Thus, also the holding element comprises a plurality of recesses. This in turn means that also a plurality of slider recesses have to be provided. These slider recesses can be formed in a slider in their totality or in a group-wise arrangement; however, it is also possible that each recess has a slider with a receiving opening assigned thereto. A third alternative is to be seen in that the at least one slider according to the invention is of a two-part configuration and comprises two mutually adjacent slider portions guided for movement of the holding element. On their ends which can be moved towards and away from each other, these two slider portions are provided with a respective edge recess, which recesses, in case of mutual abutment of the slider portions, form the receiving opening of the slider. In the cover position of the slider, these slider portions or one them will close the recess of the holding element while, in the opening position of the slider, the opening formed by the two slider portions is arranged within the recess of the holding element.

A further variant of the invention is to be seen in that the above described two-part slider configuration is used to create a receiving opening allowing the introduction therethrough of a member having a larger cross section than the receiving opening when the sliders are in mutual abutment. Thus makes it is possible, if required, to clear the whole recess of the holding element, i.e. in that the mutually adjacent sliders formed with a respective edge recess on their edges movable towards and away from each other, are moved apart. Now, the above mentioned part of the partition wall can be passed through the recess of the holding element. Thereafter, the recess can be closed again on both sides of the part of the partition wall extending therethrough. Such a construction can be provided e.g. in partition walls which comprises a monitor, cables and a plug. In this variant of the invention, to allow the plug to be inserted through the holding element, the complete recess of the holding element will be available. When the cable has been passed through the recess of the holding element, the recess can be closed again by moving the sliders towards each other so that the receiving opening formed by these sliders will enclose the cable or a (cable-guiding) tube—surrounding the cable—of the partition wall.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereunder with reference to the drawing. In the drawing, the following is shown:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional partial view of the passenger cabin of an airplane with a partition wall held on the supply-channel paneling,

FIG. 2 is a view of the front side, in the mounted condition facing towards the cabin, of a ceiling paneling element serving to hold the partition wall, illustrated in the condition when the receiving openings of the slider are exposed,

FIG. 3 is a view of the front side, in the mounted condition facing towards the cabin, of a ceiling paneling element serving to hold the partition wall, illustrated in the condition when the recesses of the ceiling paneling elements are closed,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rear side, in the mounted condition facing away from the cabin, of the ceiling paneling element, with the slider arranged in the open position,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4 for illustration of the arrangement of the slider on the ceiling paneling element,

FIG. 6 is a view onto the front side of the ceiling paneling element according to a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 is a view onto the rear side of the ceiling paneling element of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, with the slider in its open position,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, with the slider in its cover position,

FIG. 10 is a sectional partial view of an airplane passenger cabin with a ceiling paneling element according to a third embodiment for holding a partition wall provided with a monitor or another electrical device,

FIG. 11 is a view of the front side of the ceiling paneling element of FIG. 10 with a slider positioning as existing in the mounted condition according to FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the ceiling paneling element of FIG. 11, however with the recess closed by the slider, and

FIG. 13 is a view of the front side of the ceiling paneling element of FIG. 11 with the central recess fully cleared so as to allow passage of a plug or the like member which is widened relative to the receiving openings of the slider.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional partial view of the body 10 of an airplane 12, with the cabin 14 of the plane comprising a plurality of rows of seats 16 and being subdivided into a plurality of individual sections, e.g. by partition walls 18 to the left and right-hand sides of the aisle. Arranged above the rows of seats 16 are baggage compartments 20, and arranged thereunder is a supply channel 22 which is covered by ceiling paneling elements 24 above the rows of seats 16. The ceiling paneling element 24 shown in FIG. 1 is of a type adapted to receive anchoring pins 26 extending upwards from the partition wall 18 fastened to the cabin floor 28.

FIGS. 2 to 5 show different views of this ceiling paneling element 24 which, apart from its shielding function also has the function of a holding element for the partition wall 18.

FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 4, respectively, are views of the front side 30—facing towards the seats—of ceiling paneling element 24, and of the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24. FIG. 5 shows a view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4.

For being able to receive the two elements (anchoring pins 26) of partition wall 18 which are provided to be taken up by the ceiling paneling element 24, ceiling paneling element 24 is formed with two recesses 34 adapted to be closed by a slider 36 held on the rear side of ceiling paneling element 24. The slider itself comprises receiving openings 38, assigned to the recesses 34, which in the closed condition of the recesses 34 (FIG. 3) are arranged outside these recesses 34 (see FIG. 3) and which in an open position of the slider 36 are arranged within the recesses 34 (FIG. 2). In the slider position according to FIG. 2, anchoring pins 26 of partition wall 18 can be passed through the recesses 34 of holding element 24 and the receiving openings 38 of the slider 36 of ceiling paneling element 24. By the configuration of the recesses 34 as longitudinal holes extending in the slider movement direction (note the arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3), there can be obtained a movement compensation between partition wall 18 and ceiling paneling element 24 as it will be necessary, for instance, in case of vibrations of the plane 12 as e.g. in the start and landing phases.

If no partition wall 18 is needed, the recesses 34 can be closed by the slider 36. In this cover position of slider 36 as shown in FIG. 3, one of the two recesses 34 presents a small bore 40 which by introducing a tipped tool (e.g. a screwdriver) allows for the actuating of the slider 36 from the cover position top the open position.

The guidance of slider 36 on the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown, the ceiling paneling element 24 is formed with a peripheral edge 42 extending from the rear side 32; within edge 42, in a central region, two parallel longitudinal stiffening ribs 44 with transverse stiffening ribs 46 running transverse thereto are arranged to extend from the rear side 32. Between the two longitudinal stiffening ribs 44, which are arranged on both sides of the recesses 34, the slider 36 is guided. In the present example, four fastening elements 48, provided outside the transverse stiffening ribs 46, serve for fastening the ceiling paneling element 24 to holding rails 50 below the baggage compartments 20. Arranged on the longitudinal stiffening ribs 44 are press-on elements 52 provided as spring-elastic rods which in the longitudinal edge regions of the slider 36 abut on the slider and thus press the slider 36 against the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24. The press-on elements 52 are attached to the longitudinal stiffening ribs 44 by means of clamps 54. Between the press-on elements 52 and the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24, the slider 36 is held by frictional force whereby an unintended displacement of slider 36, particularly from the cover position according to FIG. 2, is prevented. This prevention of movement is further enhanced in that, in the cover position (see FIG. 5), respectively one of the widened ends 56 of two press-on elements 52 is in abutment on the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24 and thus provides resistance against a movement of the slider 36 between these widened ends 56 and the rear side 32 of ceiling paneling element 24.

As one can image with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the recesses 34 in the ceiling paneling element 24 are closed at all times, both in the mounted condition of partition wall 18 and in the absence of a partition wall 18. This results in an aesthetically appealing design and, particularly, it is prevented that foreign bodies are introduced into the recesses 34.

In the above described first embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the ceiling paneling element 24 can also take up all lateral forces acting on the partition wall 18 in order to fix the partition wall 18. On the other hand, the ceiling paneling should be light-weighted. As a result, there may be circumstances where the ceiling paneling does not have the required stability to fix the partition wall 18 by itself alone. Thus, FIG. 1 schematically shows two fixing elements 57 which from the bottom of the baggage compartment 20 extend downwards into the supply channel 22 and are covered towards the cabin 14 by the ceiling paneling element 24. These fixing elements 57 have enough stability to be able, together with the anchoring pins 26 coupled to them, to hold the partition wall 18. Although, in this embodiment of the invention, the ceiling paneling element 24 may also take over a holding function, it will however suffice if the ceiling paneling element 24 only functions as a paneling and the anchoring pins 26 extend only through the ceiling paneling element 24 without necessarily being held and/or guided on this ceiling paneling element 24.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a second embodiment of a ceiling paneling element 24′ used for holding the anchoring pins 26 of the partition wall 18. In as far as the individual components of the ceiling paneling element 24′ are similar or identical with those of ceiling paneling element 24, they are provided with the same reference numerals in FIGS. 6 to 8.

Basically, the configuration of ceiling paneling element 24′ is the same as that of ceiling paneling element 24 of FIGS. 1 to 5. A first difference resides in that the pair of recesses 34 in the view of FIG. 6 is arranged further to the right towards the transverse stiffening rib 46 which in FIG. 7 is also shown on the right-hand side. Such configurations of the ceiling paneling element 24′ may be required depending on the mounting situation and the space conditions in the cabin 14 of the plane 12. If the constellation according to FIG. 6 is provided, the end of slider 36 facing towards the right-hand transverse stiffening rib 46 has to be moved beyond the stiffening rib 46 in order to displace the slider e.g. into the cover position. For this purpose, it is required that the relevant end 36′ of slider 36 is lifted, via a wedge-shaped element 58 having a guide face 60 for guiding the slider 36 therealong, from the rear wall 32 of the ceiling paneling element 24′ up to a position above the stiffening rib 46. On the side of slider 36 facing away from guide face 60, there is arranged a counterelement 62 having the spring legs formed as press-on elements 52 extending therefrom, while the counter-element 62 via the spring legs and the clamps 54 is fixed at the longitudinal stiffening ribs 44. The movement of the slider end 36′ between the wedge-shaped element 58 and the counterelement 62 generates a further frictional force which will hold the slider 36 in any desired slider position and particularly in the cover position (see FIG. 9).

In FIGS. 10 to 13, a further embodiment of a ceiling paneling element 24″ is shown which, as has been the case for the ceiling paneling elements 24 and 24′, serves for holding the partition wall 18 above the rows of seats 16. Also in FIGS. 10 to 12, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 9 have been used for identical elements or elements serving the same function.

FIG. 10 illustrates, in a manner similar to FIG. 1, the configuration of an alternative partition wall 18′ in the cabin 14 of plane 12. Similar to the partition wall 18 according to FIG. 1, also partition wall 18′ in the embodiment according to FIG. 10 comprises two anchoring pins 26. Additionally, located on the upper end of partition wall 18′ is a third anchoring element 26 provided as a cable guide tube for a cable 64 having a plug 66 arranged thereon. Cable 64 serves for control of and supply to a TV monitor 68 mounted to partition wall 18′.

Correspondingly, the ceiling paneling element 24″ comprises three recesses 34. The two recesses which in FIG. 11 are shown in the outer positions are assigned to the anchoring pins 26 of partition wall 18′ while the central recess 34″ in FIG. 11 is assigned to anchoring element 26″.

A further difference from the configuration of the ceiling paneling elements 24 and 24′ resides in that the ceiling paneling element 24″ is provided with a two-part slider 36″ including the two slider portions 70 and 72. Both slider portions 70, 72 are slidable independently of each other, and each of them comprises a receiving opening 38 assigned to a recess 34, and a bore 40. The operation of the two slider portions 70, 72 is identical to the operation of the sliders 36 of the other embodiments.

Further, the slider 36″ comprises a third receiving opening 38″ which is formed by edge recesses 74 in the mutually facing end regions of the slider portions 70, 72. When the slider portions 70, 72 abut each other, they form the receiving opening 38″ which is dimensioned such that the further anchoring element 26″ (cable guide tube) can be enclosed.

While FIG. 11 shows the slider position for the case that all of the receiving openings 38, 38″ are arranged within the recesses 34, 34″ respectively assigned to them, the slider 36″ in FIG. 12 is arranged in its cover position in which the slider portions 70, 72 close the recesses 34, 34″ and the bores 40 are located within the outer recesses 34.

The special nature of the two-part slider 36″ is evident from FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, there is depicted the situation in which the two slider portions 70, 72 are in such a position that the complete central recess 34″ is exposed. The cable plug 66 is dimensioned such that it can be plugged through the exposed central recess 34″. After this has been done, the two slider portions 70, 72 are again moved towards each other so that their edge recesses 74 enclose the additional anchoring element 26″ (cable guide tube). Now, the situation is the one depicted in FIG. 11 in which then, as shown also in FIG. 10, the anchoring elements 26 are arranged in the receiving openings 38 of slider portions 70, 72 which are located within the outer recesses 34. 

1. A device for holding a partition wall on a wall in the interior of a vehicle, particularly on a ceiling paneling of an airplane cabin, comprising a holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) to be attached to the vehicle and having at least one recess (34; 34″), a slider (36; 36″) arranged on the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) and formed with a receiving opening (38; 38″) for receiving a paneling element (26; 26″) of the partition wall (18; 18″), the slider (36; 36″) being supported on the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) for movement on a moving path between a cover position in which the slider (36; 36″) closes the recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″), and an open position in which the receiving opening (38; 38″) is arranged within the recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″).
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slider (36; 36″) comprises an actuating element to be actuated by a handling member for moving the slider (36; 36″) from the cover position in the direction towards the open position, and that the actuating element in the cover position is arranged within the recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″).
 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the handling member is a hole (40) or a deepened portion in the slider (36; 36″).
 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slider (36; 36″) is guided for linear movement on the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″).
 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) comprises at least two mutually parallel stiffening ribs (44) having the slider (36; 36″) movably guided thereon and therebetween.
 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slider (36; 36″) is held in abutment to the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) by at least one elastic press-on element (52).
 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the press-on element (52) can be attached to one of the stiffening ribs (44).
 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the press-on element (52) is an elastic rod provided with one-sided widened portions (56) on its ends.
 9. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, in the cover position of the slider (36; 36″), the press-on element (52) is in abutment, inter alia, on the end side of the slider, notably by one of the widened ends (56) of the press-on element, if provided.
 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) on at least one end of the moving path of the slider (36 ;36″) comprises an upstanding projection extending into the moving path, and that, near the projection, a guide face is arranged by which the end portion of the slider (36; 36″) moving within this end of the moving path is guided beyond the projection.
 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the projection is a stiffening rib (46).
 12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) is configured as a paneling element particularly for covering a supply channel above the passenger seats of the vehicle.
 13. The device according to claim 1, characterized by a fixing element (57) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle on the side of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) facing away from the partition wall and adapted for fixation thereto of the at least one element (26; 26′) to be received by the receiving opening (38; 38″) and extending therethrough.
 14. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) comprises a plurality of recesses (34; 34″) arranged along the moving path of the slider (36; 36″), that the slider (36; 36″) comprises a plurality of receiving openings (38; 38″) for receiving respectively one element (26; 26′) of the partition wall (18; 18′) and that, in the cover position of the slider (36; 36″), all recesses (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) are closed by the slider (36; 36″) and, in the open position of the slider (36; 36″), each recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) has arranged therein respectively one receiving opening (38; 38″) of the slider (36; 36″).
 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the slider (36; 36″) comprises only one actuating element.
 16. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) comprises a plurality of recesses (34; 34″), that each recess (34; 34″) has assigned thereto a slider (36; 36″) provided with a receiving opening (38; 38″) for receiving an element (26; 26″) and that each slider (36; 36″) is supported on the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) for movement on a moving path between a cover position in which the recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) assigned to the slider (36; 36″) is closed by the slider (36; 36″), and an open position in which the receiving opening (38; 38″) of this slider (36; 36″) is arranged within the recess (34; 34″) of the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) assigned to this slider (36; 36″).
 17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that each slider (36; 36″) comprises an actuating element.
 18. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24″) comprises a further recess (34″) having two adjacent sliders (70, 72) assigned thereto, and that these adjacent sliders (70, 72), on their ends which are movable towards and away from each other, comprise a respective edge recess (76) which in case of mutual abutment of the sliders (70, 72) forms a receiving opening (38″) for an element (26″) of the partition wall (18′), wherein these adjacent sliders (70, 72) in their cover positions close the further recess (34″) of the holding unit (57, 24″) of one of the sliders (70, 72) and, in the open positions of the adjacent sliders (70, 72), the receiving opening (38″) formed by the adjacent sliders (70, 72) is arranged within the further recess (34″) of the holding unit (57, 24″).
 19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slider (36″) is of a two-part configuration comprising two mutually adjacent slider portions (70, 72) arranged for movement on the holding unit, and that the two slider portions (70, 72), on their ends which are movable towards and away from each other, comprise a respective edge recess (76) which in case of mutual abutment of the slider portions (70, 72) form the receiving opening (38″) of the slider (36″), wherein these slider portions (70, 72) in the cover position of the slider (36″) close the recess (34″) of the holding unit (57, 24″) and, in the open position of the slider (36″), the receiving opening (38″) formed by the two slider portions (70, 72) is arranged within the recess (34″) of the holding unit (26″).
 20. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding unit (57, 24; 24′; 24″) comprises at least one fixing element (57) for the anchoring element (26, 26″), and a paneling element (24; 24′, 24″) covering the at least one fixing element (57) and having the at least on recess (34; 34″) and the slider (36; 36″) arranged therein and theron. 